Rice Middle School eNews
Monday, April 16, 2018
Rice News
A. Spring Exam Schedule
If your student will be absent during last week of school, please fill out a Student Absence Request form and return it to the front office as soon as possible. You will also need to contact your child's counselor--the counselors will arrange dates/times for your student to make up his/her final exams. The required form can be found on the Rice Website or picked up from the Main Office. You will find a link to the final exam schedule above this announcement.
B. May STAAR Testing Dates
Please keep these dates in mind as you are scheduling appointments in May. Students cannot leave the building and return later to complete their test. If your child has an appointment on any of the testing days that affects him or her, please try to change the appointment.
Upcoming STAAR TESTING Dates:
- May 9: Algebra EOC--UPDATED*
- May 14: 6/7th Grade Math and 8th Grade Math Retake
- May 15: 6/7th Grade Reading and 8th Grade Reading Retake
- May 16: 8th Grade Science
- May 17: 8th Grade Social Studies
*Algebra I EOC has been moved to May 9th. All students currently in an Algebra I class or 7th grade Math Rocks will take the Algebra I End Of Course exam on May 9th. This exam takes the place of STAAR Math 7 and 8. If you have questions, please contact your child’s counselor.*
C. 8th Grade Celebration, May 19th!
The Rice Middle School 8th graders are high school bound, and it’s time to celebrate! Join us for an evening of fun with a DJ, Gym, Game room, Snacks, Photo booth and Gift card Raffles!
WHO: All Rice 8th Graders are invited to the 8th Grade Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, May 19th from 6:30PM to 8:30PM
WHERE: Carpenter Rec Center – 6701 Coit Rd, Plano, 75024
Click here for more detailed Information: 8th Grade Celebration Flyer
*Please note that only currently enrolled Rice MS 8th Graders will be admitted to the party .
*Please make plans to get your 8th grader to/ from the party - No transportation will be provided.
D. Parents of Rice 8th Graders:
We are looking for volunteers & gift card donations! Please consider being a part of this awesome celebration. Please click link to sign-up to volunteer & share this fun evening with our kids! Gift Card donations can be made in the front office.
8th Grade Celebration Volunteer Sign-up!
Questions? Email Becki Girouard, sbgirouard@juno.com
E. Lunch Accounts
Parents, as we come to the end of another school year, please be mindful of your child’s lunch account. No student can be left with a negative account at the end of the year.
Please feel free to contact Kathy Moore at 469-752-6008 if you have questions.
F. Attention Parents of 6th Graders,
Please read the attached letter regarding additional immunization requirements for 7th grade entry in the 2018-2019 school year. The due date for the required vaccinations is May 31, 2018.
Immunization Requirements Letter
G. Cold and Flu Prevention
Parents and students can help reduce the impact of the cold and flu season by following these simple tips:
- Get a flu shot!
- Keep your children at home for fever of 100˚F or more for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for 20 seconds or more. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs can easily enter the body this way.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cough and/or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not into your hand.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces at home, work, and school, especially if someone is ill.
- Practice other good health habits such as being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids, getting plenty of rest, and eating nutritious foods.
If you want more information on influenza please visit these helpful sites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
Texas Department of State Health Services: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/influenza/
PTA News
A. Volunteers Needed for Raven Spring Fest on April 27
Raven Spring Fest is coming up on Friday, April 27, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.! This social event is sponsored by Rice PTA and will feature a DJ, photo booth, games, food, and lots of fun for our Rice Ravens. Tickets will be sold during lunch April 25-27 and at the event for 50 cents each.We need lots of volunteers to make this event a success, so if you are able to help out, please sign up for a shift at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4cabab2aa64-rice2. Contact volunteers@ricepta.org with any questions.
B. Meal for our Mentors Donations Due April 26: Rice PTA is collecting donations to provide a “Meal for our Mentors.” The goal is to help make one night a little less hectic for those who help our children reach their potential every day! Providing a staff meal (casserole, salad and cookies) from Whole Foods will cost $20 per staff member and we have 105 staff we would love to serve.
PTA will arrange to have meals available for take home for the staff in early May. Donations are due April 26. Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/home, log into your account, click the Order Here tab and select “Money for a Meal” to make a donation.
C. Looking for a Great Mother’s Day Gift? We’re asking our Rice families to support our Mixed Bag fundraiser. Purchase any item from the new spring catalog and Rice PTA receives 40% of the proceeds, which directly benefit school programs and our students. All items will be shipped directly to you. Check out the amazing items online and order today: http://www.mixedbagdesigns.com/Rice-Middle-School
D. Purchase PE Uniforms, School Supplies, PTA membership for 2018-19: Membership Toolkit is now open to begin ordering PE/Athletic Uniforms, School Supplies and purchase a PTA membership for the 2018-19 school year.
- PE/Athletic Uniforms: Rice coaches ask that students wear uniforms during their PE class and Athletic. The PE shirts will be a silver dri-fit type (Augusta brand) with the logo shown above on the front and the Athletic shirts will be navy with the same logo. These uniforms can be used all three years at Rice, so you might want to order at least the T-shirt a little larger than normal.
- School Supplies: Buying the school supply pack, makes it easy to get all of the supplies at one time. Packs are put together with the help of Rice teachers from each grade level. Orders must be placed by June to guarantee delivery at Schedule Pickup in August.
- Rice PTA Membership: When you join the Rice PTA, you join a community that encourages student achievement and believes in building partnerships between families and school. Membership has many benefits, including supporting educational programs and assemblies, education and training for Rice teachers and staff, wish list items for classrooms, security guards the first few days of the school year, two social events for students, 8th grade celebration for outgoing 8th graders, Reflections, Teacher Appreciation Week and support for clubs and student programs like band, choir, orchestra and more.
Visit https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/home, log into your account, click the Order Here tab and select the category you’d like to purchase.
Please visit Rice PTA’s website at https://ricemspta.membershiptoolkit.com/ for more PTA news and like the Rice PTA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RiceMSPTA/ page to stay informed about PTA activities
Please like the Rice PTA Facebook page to stay informed about PTA activities!
Club News
A. The Eco-Club at Rice is organizing a Recycling Design Contest
We need your help to encourage the Rice community to recycle! Your participation in the contest will show the many talents that Rice students as well as their enthusiasm and participation in recycling.
The winner drawing will be used in a shopping bag sponsored by a neighbor grocery store. We will also use the drawing in the Eco-Club t-shirt next year.
All 6th, 7th, & 8th graders are encouraged to participate.
Rules:
1. The words “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” must be included in the drawing.
2. The drawings must be done in letter size (8.5 x 11 inches)
3. Must use maximum of two colors.
4. Materials to be used: color pencils, markers, crayons, acrylic paint.
5. Turn in your drawing inside a manila folder with your name, grade, and homeroom teacher written outside the folder.
Deadline: Monday April 23rd in Room 817.
Judging and Prizes:
- The winner will be announced on Friday April 27th during announcements
- Prices to the best 3 drawings
Thank you for participating!
B.Gateway Academy Summer Camp Registration Is Now Open!
- We are offering three camp sessions at Renner MS, Schimelpfenig MS and Otto MS.
- Each session is four days long (Mon. – Thurs.) Students can only attend one session.
- Camp program time is from 7:45 am–11:45 am.
- Tuition is $95.
- Each session is limited to 25 students. It is intended for incoming 7th and 8th grade students only.
- Camp locations are Renner, Schimelpfenig and Otto.
- We will plan for new curriculum/projects from last year since we anticipate having returning students that attended last summer. The main projects will revolve around robotics.
- T-Shirts will be provided for all participants.
- Each camper will be given a Certificate of Completion on the last day.Campers will take home the projects they complete during the camp (if applicable).
- The last hour of each session will be a student showcase/show and tell for parents to come in and see what the campers did during the week.
**See informational flyers above for more information.
Session #1 – Monday, June 11 – Thursday, June 14
Session #2 Monday, June 18 – Thursday, June 21
Session #3 Monday, June 25 – Thursday, June 28
For more information about camp or to register, you can visit http://k-12.pisd.edu/gateway .
C. Athletics & Spirit Wear
Fancloth has provided a catalog of new spirit wear for Rice family and friends.
The coaches are encouraging students who will be in PE next year to consider purchasing the drawstring bag Item (# 17) to transport their P.E. clothes to and from school.
Girls and Boys Athletics programs are encouraging the following items to be purchased:
Lady Ravens:
#4, #13, #1, #10
Ravens:
#2, #7,#10,#19
Items can be purchased through the catalog order form that is available in the gym, online at https://shop.fancloth.com/75025/375234 or Send at text to: 559.900.3222- Message in text: 375234
Miscellaneous Information
A. Plano East Golf Tryout Announcement 2018-2019
Attention 8th graders attending the Williams Health Science Academy or the Plano East IB World School: If you are interested in trying out for the Plano East Boys or Girls Golf Team next year, there is a MANDATORY Parent/Athlete meeting at Plano East in the cafeteria on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm. We will be discussing tryouts and the golf program. If you cannot attend, you must contact Coach Engelking at jon.engelking@pisd.edu.
B. Middle School Wrestling
Learn more about Wrestling or strengthen what you have learned with upcoming camps and clinics for the spring and summer. Feel free to share with your friends and new wrestlers.
Plano West Wrestling Summer Clinic through the City of Plano. Camp starts June 11th - information sheet can be found here. For beginners in 4th - 8th grades; advanced in 6th - 12th grades. Registration starts April 2nd.
C. 2018 Plano West Summer Girls & Boys Basketball Clinics
Available to boys and girls entering 1st–9th grades in the fall of 2018, these clinics are designed to include competitive drills, various competitions for prizes, and plenty of scrimmaging. The Plano West basketball staff is focused on building a strong foundation for future development of all athletes. Click on the link below to learn more about this opportunity!
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